Myopia and your child

Can Myopia be reversed?

 Is it possible to reverse myopia? That’s a question many of those with nearsightedness have probably asked at one point or another. Glasses can correct this common refractive error but can’t turn the clock back.

Myopia can’t be reversed, but myopia control can slow its progression in kids whose eyes are still growing. Regular eye exams play a crucial role in managing myopia. They allow optometrists to monitor your eye’s progression and adjust prescriptions accordingly. While we can’t hit ‘undo’ on myopia, we can certainly take steps to manage it effectively.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition that affects nearly 30% of Americans. It’s a type of refractive error—a problem with your eyes that affects how you see. In a healthy eye, light rays land directly on the retina, the layer of light-reactive cells at the back of the eye. The retina sends this information through the optic nerve, where the brain turns it into an image.

Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long, or the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) is overly curved, causing the light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of onto it. This makes it difficult to see distant objects clearly, while close objects are typically sharp and clear.

What Causes Myopia?

Although myopia can affect people of any age, it usually emerges in childhood and worsens during adolescence. Genetics play a major role in determining who develops myopia; if one or both parents have myopia, their children are at higher risk of developing it as well. However, environmental factors may also increase your chances, such as:

• Excessive screen time
• Lack of outdoor activities
• Reading in poor lighting conditions

Correcting Myopic Vision

The most common treatment for myopia is prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Eyeglasses are available in many styles and designs, offering a stylish way to meet your unique needs. For people who prefer a more natural look, contact lenses are an alternative to glasses that sit directly on the eye.

Whatever you choose, these devices work by bending light to focus it directly on the retina, which can improve visual acuity and clarity for people with refractive errors. Your optometrist has to measure your refractive error with an eye exam to determine the correct prescription.

Myopia Control

Since myopia can worsen until a child’s eyes stabilize around age 20, myopia control focuses on slowing down the rate at which a child’s myopia progresses. Every child’s eyes are unique, so myopia control plans are individualized to meet each child’s needs.

After an eye exam, our doctors may recommend a range of myopia control methods. Be sure and discuss these with Dr Brian and Dr Boyer

(909) 596-6756 LaVerne (909) 982-0100 Upland

 www.drboyeroptometrist.com

The Heart Eye Connection ♥️ 👁️

 

They say the eyes are the window to your soul, but did you know they can also show how healthy your heart is? If you weren’t aware, you’re not alone. Specifically, researchers found that approximately half of the nearly 2.2 billion cases of vision impairment worldwide could be improved, or even prevented, by taking simple steps to improve your overall cardiovascular health.

Eye exams are the most reliable, non-invasive way to identify a number of serious—often fatal—cardiovascular conditions.

An annual eye exam detects risk factors consistent with heart disease much sooner than tests and checkups conducted during an annual physical, including identifying high cholesterol 65% of the time, high blood pressure 30% of the time, and diabetes 20% of the time.

In most cases, patients are unaware of minor changes occurring in the vascular system located at the back of the eyes. Changes may include:

• Increased force against the arterial wall—a sign of hypertension
• Tiny embolisms or clots in and around the retina—a sign of blocked arteries
• Small changes in the blood vessels of the eye caused by increased blood sugar levels—an indication of diabetes

Long-term eye health effects

Obviously, left untreated, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes result in debilitating and even deadly outcomes, but over time they also result in specific vision issues, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

The good news is that researchers now believe, with increasing confidence, nearly 50% of all eye health issues can be improved or prevented by making heart-healthy lifestyle changes.

5 lifestyle changes for a healthy heart and vision

1. Quit smoking

Smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death, by far. Thousands of studies have proven smoking causes significant damage to your blood vessels and your heart health. It’s also a leading contributor to high blood pressure and contributes to increased insulin resistance and diabetes.

2. Live an active lifestyle

You don’t need to run marathons but should make some sort of physical activity a part of your day, every day. Your heart and eyes are muscles, and the stronger your muscles, the better they function. Specifically, the stronger your heart, the easier it is for blood to be pumped throughout your body, including to your eyes. Research consistently shows walking 15-20 minutes a day, or even for 10 minutes after each meal, lowers your blood sugar and improves blood pressure.

3. Lose weight

Being obese, or even overweight has devastating effects on your health. In fact, even being slightly overweight adds additional stress to your heart, increases blood pressure, and contributes to nearly 30% of heart disease in the U.S.

4. Eat a heart and eye-healthy diet

Research shows us that eating a healthy diet prevents heart disease, lowers cholesterol, and helps maintain a healthy weight. 

A healthy diet means many things to many different folks, but at its core, a healthy diet focuses on eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and beans, while eating less saturated fat and avoiding processed foods at all costs.

You can get as specific and detailed with a “healthy” diet as you’d like but focusing on the essentials is the key to improved heart and vision health.

5. Reduce your stress

You’ve heard that stress kills, right? It can cause serious damage to your heart as well as your eyesight.

Some of the ways to reduce stress include exercise, yoga, meditation and deep breathing.

The connection between the health of your eyes and the health of your heart is just one example of how the health of one organ can affect the health of another and can be a key indicator of your overall health.

Make sure to schedule an annual eye exam with Dr Boyer and Dr Brian. It’s crucial in taking care of your overall health. 

Drboyeroptometrist.com

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 

17 Medications That May Cause Double Vision or Harm Your Eyes

 When people take medications for certain conditions, like blood pressure or allergies, they don’t often think about eye side effects. But some medications can cause side effects that affect the eyes, from mild dryness to severe inflammation. Your eyes are relatively small but have a rich blood supply, and that combination makes them vulnerable to side effects from medications.

Medications that may cause double vision or eye problems:

Fosamax

Topamax

Accutane

Cordarone

Flomax

Viagra

Tamoxifen

Thorazine

Myambutol or EMB

Plaquenil

Prednisone

Benadryl

Vistide

Lanoxin

Gilenya

Rifadin

Vibramycin

These side effects vary — and may involve any part of the eye, from the cornea in the front of your eye to the retina and optic nerve in the back of your eye.

What should you do if you develop vision changes or double vision while taking one of these medications?

If you’re taking any of these medications and you develop vision changes, double vision, or other eye symptoms — call our office right away. Early treatment can protect your vision. Our doctors will also help you decide what to do.

There are far more than 17 medications that can lead to vision changes and double vision. Make sure you tell our doctors about all of the medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter supplements. 

We’re here to help with all your vision care and questions.

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Grapes vs Carrots

 

Generations of children have had to be cajoled into eating their carrots 🥕 with the promise that the vegetables are good for their eyesight. Now new research has delivered a much sweeter deal, revealing that eating grapes is good for the eyes and could reduce the risk of going blind later in life.

The fruit protects against a chemical process known as oxidative stress, which releases harmful molecules called free radicals into the retina, the study found.

Grapes are rich in antioxidants that protect healthy cells from DNA damage and it is believed these compounds are behind the eyesight benefits. Eating grapes may help protect eye health, according to new research published in the journal Nutrition, in keeping with previous studies that indicate grape-derived compounds are biologically active in the retina.

The retina is the part of the eye that contains the cells that respond to light, known as photoreceptors. Retinal degenerative diseases cause progressive photoreceptor death and irreversible vision impairment, including blindness, affecting millions of people in the U.S. Elevated oxidative stress is strongly associated with retinal disease and has been widely studied in the development of age-related macular degeneration and other retinal degenerations.

Widely recognised as a superfood, grapes are packed with vitamins C and K and beta- carotene, which help rid the body of free radicals, by-products of oxygen use that cause cellular damage.

And in further benefits, research by scientists at the University of Glasgow found that the antioxidant benefits of drinking purple grape juice could also reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

These results are very exciting and build on the growing evidence that suggests a very real benefit for grape consumption and eye health along with your yearly eye exams.

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear www.drboyeroptometrist.com

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month

Smart phones, laptops, tablets and the other digital devices we use at work and on the go put information at our fingertips. They can also put a strain on our eyes.

7 Ways to Prevent and Relieve Eye Strain

• Adjust your work space – looking down at your workstation can be the ideal position for keeping your eyes comfortable.  Make sure you keep your distance between 20 to 24 inches between your eyes and your computer screen.  Also, the center of your screen should be about 10 to 15 degrees below your eye level.  Adjusting your workstation to these ideal positions will help keep your eyes, back and neck most comfortable.
• Use proper lighting – use curtain, blinds, other window treatments to avoid glare and eye strain.
• Blink more – blinking is healthy and provides your eyes with much needed nutrients and moisture.
• Modify your computer’s display setting – adjust your settings, text size and color temperature to reduce eye strain.
• Take breaks – give your eyes a break from the screen by following the 20/20/20 rule. This will help avoid and relieve digital eye strain. Every 20 minutes, look away from your computer toward something 20 feet away and focus on it for at least 20 seconds.
• Use prescribed specialized eyeglasses that can improve your productivity, comfort and vision.

During Save Your Vision Month, we want to remind you to be alert for symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome: eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and loss of focus. 

If you experience any of these signs, schedule an appointment at one of our 2 offices. We can suggest changes in your digital work habits or prescribe specialized eyeglasses.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

#workplaceeyewellnessmonth www.drboyeroptometrist.com

February is Age-related Macular Degeneration Month

 February is the month of love ❤️ , but it’s also the month we spotlight a condition that is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States—Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

At Dr Boyer Optometrist, it is always our goal to help you with the vision you deserve. So, in honor of February, we want to show you some love by sharing everything you need to know about this sight-stealing condition.

All About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the deterioration of the eye’s macula and is a disease associated with aging. AMD is also one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. It affects your central vision and has a negative impact on everyday activities, such as driving, reading and recognizing faces. Millions of people are diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration each year.

Types of Macular Degeneration

There are two types of AMD: dry (by far, the most common type) and wet. Treatment for dry AMD begins with routine eye exams with your eye doctor, especially after age 60, with the goal of early detection. If detected, our experienced eye doctors may prescribe a mix of zinc and antioxidants to help in slowing the progression of the disease.
Treatment for the much less common wet AMD can include a number of options, including intravitreal injections that inhibit the growth of the abnormal blood cells that cause wet AMD.
By identifying the early signs of macular degeneration, we can help prevent and treat this disease.

Who is at Risk for Developing AMD?

Risk factors for developing Age-Related Macular Degeneration include:

• Being over age 50
• Smoking
• Caucasian, lighter eyes
• Having a family history of AMD
• Obesity and high blood pressure

What Are The Symptoms Of AMD?

Slightly blurred vision is the only symptom that patients will notice before dramatic vision loss. If you notice any changes in your vision, including the inability to see dim light, seeing spots, partial vision loss or generally blurred vision, you need to contact an ophthalmologist immediately.
Macular degeneration is irreversible, so patients who are at risk for age-related eye disorders need to be diligent about their eye care.

Dr Boyer Optometrist difference 

At Dr Boyer Optometrist, we provide the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic tests, treatments and procedures, customized to your needs, lifestyle and vision goals.

Schedule an appointment with our office to learn more about how to protect and preserve your vision today and in the future. (909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Halloween and costume contacts

 Just 10 hours after she first put in a pair of colored contact lenses that she’d bought at a souvenir shop, Laura of Parkersburg, W.Va., had "extreme pain in both eyes," she said. "Because I had not been properly fitted by an eye care professional, the lenses stuck to my eye like a suction cup."

Even if you have perfect vision, you need to get an eye exam and a prescription from an eye care professional before you wear any kind of contact lens. A prescription ensures that the lens is a proper fit for your eye, among other things. If the lens doesn't fit properly, it could prove difficult to remove and cause serious injury.

In Laura's case, the lenses caused an infection and left her with a corneal abrasion. "I was in severe pain and on medication for four weeks and couldn't see well enough to drive for eight weeks," she said. "I now live with a corneal scar, vision damage and a drooping eyelid."

Safely Wear Costume Contact Lenses for Halloween With These Tips:

Get an eye exam from a licensed eye care professional such as an optometrist— an eye medical doctor — who will measure each eye and talk to you about proper contact lens care.

• Obtain a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements and expiration date.
• Purchase the colored contact lenses from a retailer who asks for a prescription, or at our office.
• Follow the contact lens care directions for cleaning, disinfecting and wearing the lenses.
• Never share contact lenses with another person.
• Get follow-up exams as directed with your eye care provider.

If you notice redness, swelling, excessive discharge, pain or discomfort from wearing contact lenses, remove the lenses and seek immediate medical attention from Dr Boyer & Dr Brian. Eye infections can become serious very quickly and sometimes the damage is not reversible.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

$100 Rebate *

VSP Members Get Up to a $100 Rebate* on a Pair of Glasses!Getting a rebate on your perfect pair of glasses has never been easier. Purchase a Featured Frame Brand and an eligible lens enhancement from a VSP® PremierProgram location and qualify for up to a $50 rebate. Get up to a $100 rebate if your perfect pair of glasses includes a pair of eligible progressive digital lenses. (909) 596-6756 2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100 1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 www.drboyeroptometrist.com Call our office today for an appointment 

 

Preventing Sports-related eye injuries

 

Sports-related eye injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year. The good news is that 90% of serious eye injuries could be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear.

How to Prevent and Treat Sports Eye Injuries

Different activities and sports have different levels of risk for eye injury. Make sure that you’re using the right kind of eye protection for each activity. Regular eyeglasses do not offer proper eye protection and in some cases can make an injury worse if they shatter.

Be careful during activities or games involving projectiles and other sharp objects that could create injury if in contact with the eye.

If you have an eye injury call our office, even if the injury appears minor. Delaying medical attention can result in permanent vision loss or blindness.

What Sports Cause Eye Injuries?

Eye injuries can happen in almost any sport, but some sports are higher risk than others.

Basketball causes most sports eye injuries in the U.S.

One study found that basketball was the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries in the United States followed by basketball, softball, airsoft rifles, pellet guns, racquetball and hockey.

Protective sports glasses with shatterproof plastic, called polycarbonate lenses, should be worn for sports such as basketball, racquet sports, soccer and field hockey. Our office can help provide you with the ASTM  standard of eye protection.

Sports that require face masks or face shields for eye protection

In ice hockey and men’s lacrosse, wear a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield. Hockey face masks should be approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

On-the-Field Visual Test Helps Diagnose Concussions in Athletes

About 3.8 million Americans sustain sports-related concussions each year. A quick, reliable screening test is useful on the sidelines to keep injured athletes from returning to play too soon. An on-the-field visual test (which consists of reading a series of printed numbers, and their responses were scored for accuracy and time) helps physicians better diagnose, treat and rehabilitate patients with concussions.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

What is farsightedness?

 Hyperopia

Far sightedness means that ones best sight is at far. It is a lay man's term for hyperopia. Hyperopia describes an eye that is too short in length (sometimes people confuse hyperopia with presbyopia, which also causes near vision problems but for different reasons). That means that the focal length lies behind the eye. People with hyperopia might squint to see nearby objects. This is especially true for an object that is close, like a book, a computer, or a cell phone. In that case the eye must focus harder with the crystalline lens in order to see clearly. This increased effort can cause fatigue, headaches , and eye strain. 

Seeing comfortably

What can be confusing about hyperopia is one would pass a vision screening with an eye chart and even report that they're able to see a book clearly. Yet, they definitely benefit from reading glasses. In this case the glasses are more about seeing comfortably than clearly. This is one reason that yearly eye exams are recommended starting at school age. Most of our learning is visual and reading glasses can make a huge difference in that person's life. 

Treatment options

Treatment options include eyeglasses, contact lenses, and surgery such as LASIK. 

Don't forget a yearly eye exam for you and your family. (909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Should we be concerned about blue light exposure?

 

What is blue light? 

We’ve all found ourselves tired and irritable during the workday. Sitting for long hours staring at our computer screens, can leave us tense, unfocused and sometimes with a pounding headache. Blue light may sound pretty innocent, but without using some kind of blue light blocker, it's actually pretty bad for us.

What we see – the visible spectrum of light – consists of a range of colors, from blue-violet on the lower end to red on the higher end. Light on the lowest end of the visible spectrum has the shortest wavelengths; light on the highest end has the longest wavelengths. Since shorter wavelengths emit more energy, blue light is also known as High Energy Visible (HEV) light. This is what’s filtered out by blue light glasses.

What we see – the visible spectrum of light – consists of a range of colors, from blue-violet on the lower end to red on the higher end.

How are we exposed to HEV or blue light?

We all know the dangers of sun exposure. That glorious bright sunny day that most of us love is the primary culprit in blue light exposure. But even those who would rather stay indoors watching Netflix or playing video games are not safe from blue light because we're also exposed to "unnatural" blue light from our smartphones, TVs, computer screens, and artificial lighting. Although our digital devices emit only a fraction of the HEV light emitted from the sun, the number of hours we spend using our devices can have both an immediate and a cumulative effect on our health.

Should we be concerned about blue light exposure?

The short answer is yes. Blue light is a bit like salt, our bodies need it but our modern diet of processed food has us eating enough to make it harmful. So while exposure to blue light does have some positive benefits, our modern digital world has overexposed us to it. Blue light glasses help reduce harmful overexposure.

Eye Strain 

Medical studies suggest that prolonged exposure to blue light may cause permanent damage to our eyes. We've all experienced digital eye strain from staring at a computer screen for long periods of time. And these days it's even more pronounced, as we spend a significant portion of our workday looking at our smartphones, tablets, computer screens. Even while relaxing, we play video games, read on a tablet, or watch TV. All of these activities expose us to artificial blue light. 

How does blue light cause eye strain?

Our eyes are not built for our modern digital world. The eye's cornea and lens aren't good at filtering HEV light from reaching our retina, the thin layer of light-receiving tissue that lines the back of the eye. Over time, this can cause damage to its light-sensitive cells. As we age, this damage can make us more susceptible to eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Young children are even more sensitive to blue light exposure since the lens of their eyes are even more transparent than adults, allowing more HEV light to pass through. 

A scientific explanation is because High Energy Visible (HEV) light has such a short wavelength, it scatters in the eye, reducing contrast and making it difficult to focus. Over time, our eyes begin to feel tired. It can also cause pain in or around the eyes, blurred vision, headache, or sometimes even double vision.

Some helpful tips.

To protect your eyes and maintain a healthy sleep schedule, you should:

•  Expose yourself to natural daylight
• Whenever possible, take frequent breaks from viewing devices
• Protect your eyes in daylight using sunglasses
• Avoid the use of digital devices right before bedtime
• Protect your eyes from excess artificial blue light with blue light blocking computer glasses

Men’s Health

You workout. You try your best to eat healthy. You drink plenty of water. But what about your eyes? What does it takes to keep your vision healthy? Your eye health has a major correlation to the rest of your overall health.

Part of staying healthy is making sure you’re on top of your preventative checkups. However, men tend to schedule 1/2 as many health visits as women.

Maybe you don’t wear glasses or contacts and haven’t had any issues with your eyes. You might think, “Why would I need to go the eye doctor every year?” It turns out that men have a higher mortality for most leading causes of death including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Early warning signs of these diseases can be found through an eye exam.

In partnership with an eye exam, you can also diminish your risk with proper nutrition. Research has shown nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, found in leafy green vegetables and eggs, can support healthy vision. As well as vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, which can be found in whole, unprocessed fruits and vegetables.

Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam today with Dr Boyer or Dr Brian to ensure you’re staying on top of your health and can work with your doctor’s to address any issues.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750

 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD www.drboyeroptometrist.com